Cats Host South Carolina On Saturday
For the first time in the 2022 season, the Kentucky football team is coming off a loss. Despite two missed extra points and a field goal, along with fumbles on their last two possessions they still had a chance to beat Ole Miss. Back at home under the lights at Kroger Field Kentucky looks for a bounce-back win against South Carolina. Let’s look at both teams and give you a prediction.
Injuries Are Piling Up
We are five games into the season and like most teams, the Wildcats are as Mark Stoops said in his Monday news conference “a little banged up.” In reality that may be quite the understatement. Heading that list is quarterback Will Levis.. The UK signal caller is dealing with a lower leg injury suffered at Ole Miss. Currently he’s listed as questionable for Saturday night.
Levis has been spotted in a walking boot this week. I know he tweaked a foot/ankle in Saturday’s game but played on. Less than ideal three days before an SEC game Kentucky should (with Levis) win and really has to win (which would be much harder without Levis). https://t.co/dBVLoQCiad
— Kyle Tucker (@KyleTucker_ATH) October 6, 2022
If Levis can’t go then Kaiya Sheron will get the nod with Deuce Hogan as the backup. Not the ideal situation for a game Kentucky needs to win.
As if that weren’t enough another question is about linebacker Jacquez Jones, who left the Ole Miss game after a foot injury. He was helped off the field and didn’t return to the game. While Jones is listed first on the depth chart the UK headman wouldn’t say if he would play. If Jones is out D’Eryk Jackson is the next man up.
In addition to Jones another player who left Saturday’s game was an offensive tackle, Jeremy Flax. Given Kentucky’s struggles on the line this season his being out will certainly hamper the offensive attack. One bit of good news reports says linebacker J.J. Weaver will be back after missing a couple of games with an elbow injury.
Getting The Running Game Going
Kentucky got Chris Rodriguez back after a four-game suspension. In his first game playing against a tough run defense, C-Rod ran for 72 yards on 19 carries with a touchdown. Too many folks surprise, UK’s has had a lot of trouble running the ball this year. So far they rank 124th out of 131 teams with 87 yards per game. Furthermore, they’re last in the SEC a full six yards behind Mississippi State who’s 13th.
If they are ever going to get it rolling Saturday might be the day. So far in 2022 South Carolina ranks 107th in the nation giving up 185 yards on the ground. In addition, their 10 touchdowns allowed put them 114th in college football. In three previous meetings, Rodriguez has had great success against the Gamecocks gaining 348 yards on 46 carries with four touchdowns. If you’re scoring at home that’s a 7.6-yard average.
As Kentucky looks for a bounce-back win on Saturday let’s now look at the visitors from Columbia.
Scouting The Gamecocks
Shane Beamer‘s club comes into Saturday sporting a 3-2 record. However, their wins have come against the less-than-stellar competition. They beat Georgia State 35-14, Charlotte 56-20, and South Carolina State 50-10. Against the SEC it’s a different story as they are 0-2 losing 44-30 to Arkansas and 48-7 to Georgia.
Quarterback Spencer Rattler leads the Carolina offense. The former Oklahoma transfer was expected to be one of the SEC’s best. While he has thrown for 1,121 yards and four touchdowns, he also leads the league with seven interceptions.
Behind Rattler, the leading rusher is Marshawn Lloyd. So far this season the sophomore has run for 324 yards and 6.1 yards per rush. In addition, he leads the SEC with six touchdowns. He’s also a threat out of the backfield with 13 receptions and two more scores.
When Rattle throws the ball his favorite target is Antwane Wells Jr. who leads the club with 24 catches. Right behind Wells is Jalen Brooks who has 17 receptions and an 18-yard per-catch average.
On the other side of the ball defensive back, Nick Emmanwori is the leading tackler with 34. Defensive lineman Zacch Pickens is second on the team with 23 tackles. Another strong suit for South Carolina is causing turnovers. Currently, they rank 12th in the nation with seven interceptions.
Now that we’ve previewed both teams let’s give you the series history.
The Last Time They Met
Overall South Carolina leads the series 18-14 with one tie. The series has been one of the streaks as the Gamecocks won 10 straight from 2000-2009. However recent history favors the Wildcats. Since 2014 UK’s won seven of eight with the only loss coming in 2019 when the Cats lost both quarterbacks to injury. A season ago Kentucky won a hard-fought game in Columbia 16-10.
Kentucky looks for a bounce-back win against South Carolina. The question is do they get it?
Who Wins On Saturday?
This is an interesting match-up of teams who have started slowly in games this year. Whoever can get out to an early advantage most likely gets the win. South Carolina likes to blitz and given Kentucky’s problems protecting the quarterback that makes sense.
If Levis can’t go look for the Wildcats to lean on Rodriguez even more. As long as UK doesn’t turn the ball over they win. Former Gamecock signal-caller Stephen Garcia made a comment this week saying Kroger Field wasn’t a tough place to play.
Is Kentucky a tough place to play? Let former #Gamecocks QB @StephenGarcia tell you for himself 😂 pic.twitter.com/9WccWQjTok
— The Spurs Up Show (@TheSpursUpShow) October 3, 2022
Much like Michael Jordan in “The Last Dance” look for the Big Blue Nation to take it personally and in front of a loud stadium, Kentucky looks for a bounce-back win and they get it in a nail-biter.
Kentucky 21-17
Thanks for checking out our preview here at Last Word On College Football. Come back after the game for a complete recap and see how our prediction turned out.
